SANDY, Utah -- Real Salt Lake are less than two weeks away from playing in their new stadium for the first time. Besides having a new place to call home, the coaches, players and fans finally know what name to call their soccer home.
Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts announced that the stadium will be named Rio Tinto Stadium at a press conference on Monday morning.
Rio Tinto, a London, England-based corporation specializing in mining and exploration, signed a multi-year naming rights agreement with SCP Worldwide, the ownership group of RSL. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Checketts made clear from the start his desire to enter into a naming agreement with a company that had local ties to Utah but, at the same time, had a high degree of visibility outside the state. This new partnership with Rio Tinto fits well with those parameters.
In addition to being an internationally known corporation, Rio Tinto has a deep local connection to Utah. It has been the primary owner of Kennecott Utah Copper, the oldest and largest mineral exploration company in the state.
For Checketts, getting the support of Rio Tinto is another sign that the future is bright for RSL.
"When you have a company like Rio Tinto and they make a commitment on your organization, it's a true testament to the growth of our franchise," Checketts said.
It took 42 days from the time Rio Tinto and RSL management first entered into negotiations to strike a deal. Putting its name on the stadium felt like an easy decision for the mineral company to make.
"We're a global company, but we believe very strongly in maintaining local ties," said Bret Clayton, Rio Tinto's chief executive officer.
For the players and coaches, this is just latest welcome development in the club's growth since its inaugural season in Utah. A new stadium opening in the midst of a breakout year in MLS play has left a definite feel that everything is coming together at the right time.
"It seems like all the pieces are falling into place," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "It's another level of permanence. It shows that we're here, we're here for real and we're here to stay."
And seeing those pieces fall into place has been even exciting for those few who have been with the club from the beginning. Watching the stadium be built before their eyes has been both a surreal and rewarding experience.
"Every time we come back, we see something different or something new that's been added," midfielder Andy Williams said. "It's giving me goosebumps every time I come here."
Now the focus shifts to making the initial games in Rio Tinto Stadium memorable ones. Real will officially open the stadium on Oct. 9 when they play host to the New York Red Bulls live on ESPN2.
RSL would like nothing more than to reward the support of the local community that helped bring about the new stadium by using it as a launching pad for the club's first ever trip to the postseason.
"As a player, these are the games you want to be in." forward Kenny Deuchar said. "It's going to be enormous, the two games here. Hopefully that backing of the fans can help carry us through."
Besides hosting RSL home games, Rio Tinto Stadium will also be the site of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game.
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